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"My advice is to always advocate for your patient and remember that the chain of command is there to navigate until your patient's needs are met."

Donna-Kay Hylton, FNP

While working as a family nurse practitioner in otolaryngology, I was presented with a situation where I couldn't help but advocate for the patient and family's needs.

This was a patient who just had oral surgery and was unable to speak. He was scheduled to be discharged home a few days later, with the necessary follow-up appointments. However, the family expressed concerns that he would be alone for a few hours each day until his spouse got home from work, and they were concerned for his safety. I understood their needs and concerns.

I spoke with the case manager and social workers who told me that his insurance would not cover any home services, because he did not qualify. I explained his situation and emphasized the safety risk involved; still, if insurance did not cover it, insurance did not cover it.

I asked to speak with the director of case management. I explained the situation and expressed the family's and my concerns. After hearing about the situation, she gave three hours of home health aide services per day for about a week until his follow-up appointment.

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